In the last few years, many studies have been done, by researches from different European countries, on the potential therapeutic applications of peat.

The most important applications of peat are baths and body wraps. Since ancient times peat bath applications have proven their beneficial effects for relaxation and articular pathologies. Each year in Hungary, more than 50,000 peat baths are given with 90% producing therapeutic results.

The transfer of heat is very important for peat mud. The necessary time to lower the temperature by 29 degree Celsius is 90 minutes with peat mud and only 5 minutes for water.

These thermal characteristics would be the reason why this therapy is so successful. The length of these baths is about 15 minutes, the duration of the treatment will vary according to the case , but generally it will be 2 baths per week for 4 to 6 weeks.

Skin application:

Since peat mud has an important thermal potential, the cutaneous application of peat mud, either in wraps or poultices is highly indicated for local therapy. The application time is about 15 minutes. A beneficial warmth will be felt after the application. Peat mud compresses are one of the most powerful therapies compared with other local application therapies (clay and algae).

Hyperthermia produces a beneficial vascular increase in certain osteoarticular pathologies, and in certain organic affections among which we find hepatic troubles. Peat mud does not only work by thermal transfer. The constituents of trace elements, of vitamins, carbohydrates, polyphenols, lipids and especially humic acids are the principal active agents.

Humic acid:

Many studies have shown that humic acid has an astringent action (study done by Doctor Eichels Dörfer at Munich University). The astringent effect of humic acid provokes a disinfiltration action on the harder layers of the skin by modifying its permeability. The astringent action of humic acid drains the organism of the toxic substances, especially the free radicals that are responsible for inflammatory states. Humic acid carries organic molecules and acts by releasing trace element ions and mineral salts.

Medical impact of peat therapy:

In addition to the physical effects of balneologic applications of peat (like the impact of temperature and hydrostatic pressures which greatly affects their effects) that are known since the biochemical and pharmacological processes. Humic substances greatly influence the spontaneous muscle contractions and are responsible for vasodilation.

By different experiment models, we can prove that peat substances can penetrate the ligaments and muscles and can act like immunodulants via skin cells.

Physiological activity of humic substances derived from the degradation of lignin in cases of peat therapy:

The difference between active physiological substances of peat is the molecular weight, from the lowest to the highest that is formed during the humidification by degradation of plant lignin and seems to play an important role which was unknown up to now in peat therapy: One of the most important reactions of the healing effects seems to be the addition or oxidation of decarboxylation of aminoacids or proteins depending on the phenol substitution.